WHAT IS VISUAL.NET ?

I KNOW A GOOD AMOUNT OF VISUAL BASIC AND DEVELOPED PACKAGE ON VB6 WITH BACKEND ORACLE-8.

I HAVE ALSO DEVELOPED PACKAGES IN ASP

I UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE TWO MEAN.

BUT WHAT IS THIS NEW CONCEPT VISUAL.NET ?
I HAVE NEVER READ ANY BOOK ON THIS

CAN ANYONE BRIEF THE SUBJECT WITHIN 10/15 LINES PLEASE

REGARDS